…Promises CCT To Elderly, Youths, Vulnerables
The governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, had declared that his administration is currently compiling names of the elderly, the vulnerables and youths in the state who would benefit from the conditional cash transfer, CCT, scheme in the next 30 days.
Prince Abiodun stated this at the Town Hall Meeting for 2023 Budget and Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, for 2023 to 2025, for Remo Division, held at the of the Akarigbo of Remo, in Sagamu.
The governor averred that the conditional cash transfer which is part of the state government’s social security intervention, is aimed at easing the living of the target beneficiaries.
He added that the intervention would be extended to traders to recoup the financial losses they suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prince Abiodun, however, called on women in the state to participate in the ‘Oko’wo Dapo’ scheme, to boost their enterprises.
He explained that the town hall meeting was to allow for participatory and inclusiveness, as it is a key component of budget preparation process that would allow more inputs into the budget.
He informed that his administration has involved a wholesome approach in addressing the infrastructural deficit in the state, adding that the 2023 budget would be transitional, as it would take the administration to realize its ‘ISEYA’ agenda.
Speaking on some developmental projects that have been executed in Remoland, the governor mentioned Oba Erinwole road in Sagamu, the Hospital road, Market road, Awolowo road, Sagamu junction-Iperu-Ode and Ilisan-Ago-Iwoye roads, as well as the cargo airport at Ilisan, as some of the projects carried out in the zone.
He said that Remo has also benefited from the renovation of Primary Health Centres, PHCs, schools and housing projects.
Reaffirming the position of the state as one the best in internal generated revenue, IGR, Prince Abiodun said that Ogun State ranked fourth behind Lagos, Federal Capital City and Rivers, saying that his administration was working to improve the financial base of the state.
He stressed that his administration has lowered the political temperature in the state and charged the youths to shun all forms of social vices, noting that the state has remained peaceful in more three years now.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief Economic Adviser and Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo, noted that the present administration in the state has instituted the State Fiscal Responsibility Law 2020, which highlights the functions of all stakeholders, as well as spelling out the expected fiscal activities in the state.
Okubadejo noted that the aim of the Abiodun administration is to have meaningful engagement with all stakeholders as well as effectively implement ideas, insight and contributions with a view to uplift the state economy.
He added that the state is adopting increased openness and citizen’s engagement process with a view to ensure fiscal discipline and discourage extra budgetary expenditure.
Reviewing the inputs made by the people of the zone in the MTEF, and the 2022 budget, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Deolu Olabintan, said that 85 percent of requests was included in the 2022 budget, while 65 projects were executed in each of the sections of the state.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers in the Remo zone, the Akarigbo of Remoland,
Oba Babatunde Ajayi, said that though the government could not meet all the needs of the people, Remoland has benefited from projects implementation, which include the construction of Sagamu junction-Iperu-Ode, Oba Erinwole, Ilisan-Ago-Iwoye roads and the on-going construction of the agro-cargo airport.
He informed the governor that llara township has been cut off, calling for the construction of the alternative route through Kaka and Irolu.
He also said that the state Road Maintenance Agency, OGROMA, should liaise with traditional rulers on the repair of roads in their domains.
Representatives of trade unions, religious bodies, community leaders and organisations, who spoke at the meeting, stressed the need for government to look into the welfare of the people, particularly in the areas of empowerment, youth training and provision of basic amenities in every part of the state.
